Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to re:active mountains

Rockies still rocking..
jms — (archived)

Or spliting, actually, as a result of the northward progression of the Rio Grand Rift. Lots of hot springs around. Little known fact: the most recent volcanic activity was ~ 4150 years ago when a small basaltic cinder cone erupted near the town of Dotsero at the eastern end of Glenwood Canyon. A small flow from that cone dammed the Colorado River. Interestingly enough, that basalt eruped through a great thickness of gypsum. The town of Gypsum is nearby. Wonderfull exposures of this Permian evaporite that influences many regional structures along this stretch of I-70 and the Arches/Canyonlands area. Not uncommon for some temblors in the state, either.

Lots of Volcanic activity in the southern end of the rockies ~25-30 million years ago, all the San Juan volcanic pile (as many as 16 caulderas there), Cripple Creek, 39 mile volcanincs, Buffalo Peak....Then there's Yellowstone to keep an eye on.

I'll be driving by Dotsero next week, going skiing, yahoo! Won't be able to log on much, but when I do I'll be visiting HZ for all my mars news.

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